Starching machine



STARCHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 23, 1938 `5 Sheets-Sheet 1 fig-35@ ATTORNEY BY 6% mw,

Aug; 6, 1940. G J RENTZ 2,210,730

STARCHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 .Z051 lla/5' C l 1054 @t I ENTOR. BY/M ATTORNEY 5 ug. 6, 1940. G REINITZ 2,210,730

STARCHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 23, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 BY VW ATTORNEY 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Augl 6, i940. G. J. RENWZ 2219330 STARCHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 23 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Aug. 6, 1940 l srAR'cHAING MACHINE Brooklyn, NJ Y., assignor to Machinery Corporation, 'New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York 1938,v Serial No. 191,928

u UNITED vSTATES `George Reinitz,

@l l United Laundry 'Application February 23,

The present invention is a new and improved machine forv starching laundered articles or partsl thereof. l' y The subject-matter hereofy consists of improve- 5.;.ments in the construction and 'operation of *a' machine of the type shown in my prior. applicatin, serial' 16-127,638, nov/'matured into Patent No. 2,126,663, -Ssiled August 9, 1938. y yl The general object of the invention is the -starching of launderedarti'cles'or parts thereofj in preparation for ironing or pressing. v It is adapted particularly forstarching they collars' neckbands and cuffs oflcollar-attached shirts but is equally suitable for starching detached collars and other articles or parts thereof.y

Although numerous starching machines have*v been devised, it is still the general practice, even in large laundries, vtolstarch lshirt 'collarsand cuffs and tl'ie'likeA by hand dipping, hand wringg 20. ing of the starched partsan'd subsequent' exi Wtracting ina centrifugal machine preparation for the pressing machines. method is very slow; hand dipping does not" vresult in anV even' distribution of starchj it is hard on therworker 25t as thestarch solution is intime irritating tothe skin; starch spotsare producedon'thebody of' the garment'during the extracting; and.' due to j uneven distribution ofstarchit is frequently` necessary to. ,rewash some of z the garr'nents` 30;. When the article is removed vfrom the extl'ractor,` kinto which it'ha'sbeen bundled in a net,: it is in a wrinkled condition and must be carefully," smoothed when placed in the presser,y which slows up the pressing operation.v i' e Further objects of the ir'ivention are"to apply ""starch evenly and rapidly to a garment or a part thereof vand to'vthoroughly impregnate it with the starch Without submerging it in the solution; to Vremove the excess starch from the garment .i and conserve it for future use; and to leave the 2'garment in the proper state of dryness andflattened .readyor pressing. By eliminating all handling of the articles inthe starch, there is nopossibility of skin irritation. p In commercial laundry practice it is 'also neces- :sary to meet thedemands of the customers byr Starching clothing,A particularly parts of collarattached shirts,in varying degrees, which we may call light, medium and heavy starching.v This isy 50., done by using starch solutions ofvarying icon'- centration. It isy therefore ja further object of the invention to provide a starching machine which contains supplies of starch of variousconcentrations and which will enable the operator 55 to change quickly from one starch to another.

Another object'ris to provide-wringing or extracting means whi'chl'may vbe adjusted by means i of a single screw and which will always "ex'ertjr an even pressure under anyadjustment to remove more or less of the solution and leave the agar# 5 mentiny aproperstate of dryness for pressing.

Another object is'to provide,v a starching machine which mayk easily be cleaned upon cornpletion of its work and which is of simple and:

rugged construction;v The invention provides 'atlol moving carrier fromv which "they: automatically i '11d pass throughj the starchingand extracting means'` and are deliveredtpreliminarily lflattened ready for pressing. Articles come from the "machine, so well prepared for press work that substantial" savings in time'in the pressing are' effected. Y

apparent in the course of theiollowi'n'g 'description of the present preferred'embodiment of the invention as'shownjinrthe drawings ,whichfe Fig. l1 isa front elevation of a complete-ma-l chineji A -Y Fig. 2 is a rear velevation of the same, part -o'f the rear covering panel beingbroken'away land f the-gear covering being removed;

' Fig. s is pian view of themachine asa' would; 30

appear when viewed from above,the `gear cover being removed; y,

Fig. fi isa ydetailed side View' of the starching rolls andrelated parts as seenfrom the right of Figs. 1 or 2', certain parts/ofthe frame being in vr35 sectionto expose to View' the glearsfor tlfieserolls;A 'Fig;'5 is a'detailed View of theupperfright'part of the machineof'Fig. -l showing` the starcl'u'ng and extracting rolls, the devices for'feedingar 20 Other objects and advantages" will become* ticles tdandv through these rolls, and other asso- 40 ciated parts. *The'starch rolls; Vand other parts'h are shown in 'section," takenl on` the line' 5;-5'1of f Fig. 4,' so'as to show their interiors;

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the uppermi'g'ht' 1 end` of the'machine irl-Fig. `1 as it would apear to one standingtc the 'right-and in frontoffthe"V machine and includes what yisshown in Figs. 4' and 5;-andV 1, Fig. 7 is a detailed central longitudinal grossi-'#- section throughl the extractor adjustment, the 50 shafts for the extractor rolls" and for the'lstarch'king rolls and part of the upper `starch roll carrier,- all shown at the left end of Fig; 2. l l i The machine Ais constructed tostand onthe-i iioor and has `abasev lupo'nmwliich isf-mounted side of the base I0, drives the machine proper y and another smaller motor is housed in a box I4 in the base for driving the starch-circulating l5 pump I5. Both of these motors are adapted to operate on the usual domestic current supply.

The construction of the apparatus shown in the drawings will now be described in detail. Referring particularly to Figs. l, 2 and 3, at a convenient height above the floor there is a lower endless belt I6 which runs from one side of the machine tothe other, in front of andv below ther starching mechanism. This belt, which is preferably of heavy rubberized canvas duck, serves to support the yparts of garments which are not to be starched, for example the body of a shirt when the collar alone is tofbe starched. The belt |6 is supported at either end on rollers II and I8 .M -which are mounted on shafts I9 and V2i) respectively. The belt is driven through shaft I9.

To the rear of and above belt I6 is an upper endless belt,:2| similarly supported on rollers 22 andV 23 which are carried by shafts 24 and 25 respectively. This belt is driven through shaft 24. The 35 belt 2| serves to carry the article or. part thereof which is to be starched into the vstarching mechanism. It travels' at the same linear speed as the belt I6 sothat when part of an article is b placed on belt 2| therest of it will be carried 4"along `at the same rate on belt I6.

The tension on the belts I6' and 2| may be adjusted and the rollers I 8 and 23 aligned by means of the construction shown at the right end ...of Fig. 2. v The main casting II` is provided with 45"`an upstanding end containing the square holes 26 and 2l which receive the square ends of the shafts and 25. Set screws 28, of which there are two on each sideof each shaft, are adjusted .to effect alignment of the shafts and the proper 5""tension of the belts.

Lying flat on the surface of be1tf2| are a plurality of longitudinally-extending kstationary parallel wires 29. They are anchored 'at the right end (Fig. l) and fastened at the left to a rotat- 55`"`able shaft 30 by which their tension may be ad- 'f-"articles Sticking to the beu A they reach the end, and they serve as guide lines `iusted. This shaft is supported in bearing brackets 3|, in which it may be fastened by thumb screws 32, and has a knob 33. The wires H29. serve. a dual purpose. They prevent wet 2|, especially when for the placement of articleson the belt for starching.

'I'he working parts of these elements of the 6'57Lmachine are all enclosed by a front panel 34 in the base and the panels and 36 covering the spaces between the upper and lower runs of the belts and their rollers. The vertical guard 3`| tcovers the rear edge of belt 2| and prevents any- 7""thing from falling to the rear of the machine.

.serves for` starting and stopping the motors. t The! 75Mpanels 35, 36 and 3l are supported on brackets The machine is enclosed at the back by the panel 38. The switch36r is mounted in the front vof panel 35 for easy4 access by the operator and being 40 extending outwardly from the main casting I I. Under the central sections of the upper runs of belts I6 and 2| are rigid plates (not shown) supported by the same brackets, which serve to support the belts and prevent them from sagging.

To assure positive delivery of .articles to the starching mechanism by the belt 2|, a roller 4I is rotatably mounted on an arm 42 freely pivoted on the panel 31 at 43.y Thisroller is ,preferably made of a heavy metal such as brass and `rests on the belt 2| at the point where it travels over roller 22. Roller 4I is grooved so as not to make contact with the wires 29. It may be swung out of operative position and rested. on the stop 44. This roller 4I serves to press articles against the belt 2| and thus assures frictional engagement therewith. It also serves as a guard. If the operator leaves his hand on the belt, contact with roller 4| will cause him to withdraw it.

The foregoing constitutes the mechanism for transporting articles to the starch-applyingpart A,

of the machine which will now be described.

The starch-applying mechanism may bese-'len in part in Figs. l, 2 and 3and is shown in greater detail in Figs. v4, 5 and. 6. rReferringparticularly to Figs. 4 and 5, as the articles leave the end 'of belt 2| they slide across the wires 29 and enter between two starch-applying rolls which apply' starch and thoroughly work it into the material. The upper starch roll 46 is a hollow metal cylinder with closed ends and provided with openings 41 in its cylindrical surface." When in use roll 46 is covered by a tightly fitting, porous, ab?" sorbent sleeve 48 of felt or thelikefwhich liasl been omitted in Fig. 4. 'I'he surfaceof the roll is roughened to prevent slipping of the sleeve.

tarch is supplied to the inside of this roll through a pipe 49 which Yenters through a hollow bearing shaft.` The starch passes through the` openings 4'I and thoroughly wets the sleeve 48 by which it is appliedr to the upper surface of `an article. The shaftr for roll 46 is mounted in bearings in a pivoted carrier 50 in the form of a hollowarm. This carrier is mounted on a bushing 5I'surrounding the shaft 24 and swings in a verticalV plane between the upstandings'ides 'of the casting II. VLocated on 'the shaft for roll 46 inside the carrier 50 is a gear 52 by'which the upper'starch lroll 46 is driven. The combined weight of the arm 50 and the parts carried thereby supply the necessary pressure. 'A `lug `50" carrying a set screw 50", which strikes against the casting makes it possibleto adjust'the lowermost position of the arm 50 and roll 46.

'The rear face of roll 46 is provided with a nurn-l ber of holes 53 through which starch can run out of the roll. They serveV a dual purpose. They prevent the building up` of any fluid pressure in7 the roll which would force starch out through the sleeve 48 and they make it possible to empty the another or when cleaning thefmachine. Around the shaft behind these holes 53 is a circular splash guard 54 which'dir'ects starch flowing out of the holes downward andkeeps it o-if the other parts of the machine. v

Vertically below the upperI roll 46 is the lower starch roll 56,. This roll is made of bronze or other hard material 'and has'an irregular sur" face, preferably in the form of'longitudinal ribs 57. These ribs, in conjunction with' the soft cover onthe upper roll 46,serve to kne'adthe article passing between the starch rolls in such a manner that the 'starch is thoroughly Aworked,v into'the'article being starched." Thellongitudinal" 160 roll of starch when changingfrom' one weightto UIT.:

spaces between the ribs also serve to 'carry starch upwardly and apply it to thevv under surface ofthe article. `The roll4 56 is mounted'on av shaft 58 supportedin bearings 59 `in the casting II'.v 'A drive sprocket 60'is secured on the rear end of shaft 58; Meshing with the drive gear 52 for the upper starch roll` 46 is a gear 6I, flxed on shaft 58 intermediate the sides of casting II, from which it can be seen that the power for vboth starch rolls is derived from sprocket 60 and that they rotate together in opposite directions atthe same speed.

To deliver articles between the starch rolls and at the same time prevent their following around the lower roll, a number of small rods 62 are extended between' the rolls, being anchored at one end in the guard plate 63 at vthe end of the belt 2|. The lower roll 56 is providedv with grooves 64 to receive the rods 62. After starching, articles slide on these rods into the extracting rolls 65 and 66.

The extracting rolls are made of rubber molded von metal sleeves 61 and 68 and are identical in construction so as to be interchangeable. They are removably secured on the shafts 69 yand 10 by double-ended slots 1I which engage with pins 12 in the shafts (Fig. 3); This enables the rolls to be locked on their shafts for rotating in either direction.

To produce just the proper degree of dryness to make the starched articles ready for pressing it is necessary to provide means for adjusting the pressure of the extracting rolls. Tol produce uniforms dryness it is also necessary -that the rolls be maintained parallel throughout the range of adjustment. These two requirements have been met by the construction shown in detail in Figs. 6 and '1. The lower extracting roll shaft 10 is mounted in fixed bearings in casting I I. The upper extracting roll shaft 69 is mounted' ina pair of bearings in the end of a lever arm 13 which is pivoted at about its mid-point on a xed shaft 14. The pressure adjustment is effected by a hand screw 15 which bears against a cap 16 in Athe end of a coil spring 11. lThis spring is held in a retainer 18 bolted to casting Il. By adjusting the tension of the spring, a yielding pressure in any desired amount may be had.

.The novel features of the extracting mechanism are not claimed herein as they are the subject of my copending application, Serial No. 243,715. l l

On the rear ends of the extracting roll shafts 69 and 10 are intermeshing gears 19 and 80 and the drive for these rolls is through ka sprocket on shaft 10. The extractingl rolls run in opposite directions at the same speed. v

To further facilitate positive and automatic delivery of articles from the starching to the extracting rolls and away from the latter, a plu. rality of endless tapes are provided which cooperate with these rolls in the following manner. The tape 8| passes around the upper starch roll cover 48, between the extracting rolls 65 and 66, yout around the guide roll 82 and up over the tension roll 83. Two lower tapes 84 and 85 pass around the lower extractor roll 66 and around a tension-adjusting and guiding roll 86. The rolls v82 and 86 are carried by an yarmy 81 adjustably secured to casting by a screw 88. The top :tension roll 83 is mounted on the end of an eccentric shaft 89 supported inlugs 90 on the top of the carrier 50. The tape 8| is loosened and tightened by revolving the shaft '89.2'A As articles 'emerge from the extracting rolls 65Y and 66 they are" between theupper tape 8| and the two lower tapes/84 and 85, by which positive delivery from themachine is effected.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, thelower parts of the starching and extracting mechanism are enclosed by a shield 9|, the upper left edge 92 of which is rounded and extends along and slightly above the upper edge of belt 2| for a short dis'- tance. This rounded edge 92 functions to lift up the portion of a garment passing over it, elevating it slightly above the belt 2| so as to assure a smooth passage into the starching rolls and to prevent the catching of buttons or parts of the garment in the mechanism through adherence to the belt, as will occasionally happen but for the presence of this device which experience has shown to be of importance.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will no-W be clear how the various Working parts are driven by the motor.

I2. On the drive shaft 95 are two sprockets 96 and 91 driving the chains 98 and 99 respectively.

The chain 98 drives the lower starch p roll through sprocket 60 and shaft 58 andthe upper belt 2| through sprocket |00 and shaft 24 and is positioned by the idler IOI. The chain 99 drives the lower belt I6 through' sprocket |02 on shaft I9 andthe lower extractor roll through sprocket 80 on shaft 10. The chains, gears and sprockets are normally enclosed by the cover |03 (Fig. 6)

The starch-feeding mechanism and the interchangeable starch supply will now be described. As shownin Figs. 2 and 3, there are four ta'nks or reservoirs I05a, |051), I05c and I05d' located in the base of the machine. Each tank has an outletv at the bottom connected through a union |06 and a gate valve |01 with the starch feed line |08 leading to the pump I5, which is of the impeller type. Any tank can be quickly removed, even when containing solution, by closing its valve |01 and disconnecting the union |06. The pump I5 delivers; the starch into pipe |09 at" thel top of which is a T-joint |I out of which run two branches. The rst branch is through the regulating valve III and the exiblehose I I2 to the pipe 49 feeding the upperI starch roll 46. The second branch is through the regulating valve ||3 and pipe II4 to a perforated pipe I I5 which directs a number of small streams of starch against the lower starch roll 56. At the end of the'pipe II5 isa an elbow II6 carrying a' downwardly discharging open pipe II1. The flow'of starch from the pump is therefore as follows: Into theupper starch roll 46 which it leaves through thecover 48 and the holes 53; through the perforated pipe I I onto the lower starch roll 56; and out the lower open end of pipe |I1. All of 'this starch, except what is actually retained in the articles, runs through the machine andi-drops into a receiver II8 which extends under the starching and' extracting rolls. Across the bottom of the receiveris a screen I I9 under which is a return pipe leading to a swing joint .I2I to Which-is connected a swinging pipe |22. "Ihis pipe can be positioned over any one of the tanks |05 (a, b, c or, d) to return the starch to it.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The parts of the machine are all in the positions shown in the drawings. The starch tanks are filled with starch solutions of different concentrations for light,l heavy and medium starching. It is decided which starch is to be used and the appropriatevalve I 01 is opened fully. The switch is turned on starting the motors, and the starch is circulated by the pump I5. The valves I I I and |I3 are adjusted to give the desired amount-of su A feed .to the starch rolls. As` the machine runs, the starch solutionl is being constantly circulated and so is prevented from settling, `thus assuring a uniform consistency at all times. l

The operator then stands before the machine with a supply of damp laundered articles at hand, for example mens collar-attached shirts, taking them one by one and placing the collars on the moving belt 2i, using the wires 29 as guides for properly locating them. The body of the shirt is placed on the belt I6. The collar is automatically fed through the starching and extracting rolls and requires no further attention except to receive it as: it leaves the machine. Only that part of the article actually passing between the rolls 46 and 5G is starched. As soon as one garment has been placed, it moves to the right and other one can be placed immediately behind it.

`One operator attending to feeding the machine can easily handle 900 shirts an hour and by increasing the speed slightly a skilled operator can handle 1200 an hour.

To change from one starch to another, the valve lill from the tank being used is shut off and the machine allowed to run until the starch in circulation has been returned. to that tank through pipe 122. When no more starch runs from pipe i722 it is then swung into position to discharge into the next tank selected and the valve for that tank opened. As soon as the starch from that tank has circulated through `the machine for a few moments, starching operations may bevcarried on as before.

ITo clean the machine after use, all tanks containing starch are shut off, an empty tank is lled withwater and its Valve opened. The machine is run until all starch has been washed out. The fabric coverV 48 on roll 46 is removed and washed in clean water. To remove this cover the tapey 8| is first loosened by turning the eccentric 89 and is `then removed. The carrier 5U for roll 46 can then be swung upwardly on its pivot which gives free access to roll 46 and also to roll 56 and the receiver H8. The extractor rolls 65 andii may be removed by loosening screws l5, disengaging the sleeves 6'@ from pins 'l2 and pulling the rolls off of their shafts. Tapes 84 and 85 can be loosened by swinging the arm 8l upward.

While the foregoing description of an embodimentgof the invention has been given in considerable detail to enable one to practice the invention, it is not intended to limit the invention to such details as many modifications may be made therein within the purview of the invention. -What is claimed is: l

l. A starching machine comprising in combination an upper hollow starching roll having starch outlet openings in its cylindrical surface and further openings in one of its other surfaces for the discharge of surplus starch, an absorbent covering .over the said cylindrical surface, means for supplying starch to the inside of said roll, a lower starching roll in contact with the upper roll coveringand having a hard irregular generally cylindrical surface, means for supplying starch to the surface of the lower roll, means for rotating the rolls in opposite directions, and means for feeding articles to `be starched between the contacting surfaces of said rolls.

2.l A starching machinel comp-rising in combination a hollow rotating starching roll having starch outlet openings inits cylindrical surface ,and other openings disposed adjacent the periphery ofl one of its end-surfaces for draining 'excess starch fr om the roll, means for supplying starch to the inside of said roll in excess of the rate of consumption, a tightly fitting cover of yielding absorbent material around said cylindrical surface, a second starching roll rotating in contact with said cover and having an irregular surface coacting with said yielding cover tothoroughly knead the starch into fabric passing between said rolls, means for rotating said rolls,.and means for delivering articles between said rolls. l

3. A starching machine comprising in combination a starch supply tank, a hollow upper starching roll having a pervious cover in communication with the interior of said roll and means for discharging excess starch, a lower starching roll rotating in contact with said cover, means for delivering starch from the tank to the inside of the upper roll and to the surface of the lower roll in excess of the rate of consumption, a receiver positioned toreceive the excess starch dropping from said starching rolls, and means for returning the excess starch from the receiver to` the supplytank for recirculation.

4. In a starching machine having a pair of starching rolls adapted to receive and apply starch solution to articles passing therebetween,

means for supplying to said rolls starch solutions of various concentrations at the will of the operator, said means comprising a plurality of starch supply tanks each having an outlet,

a valve controlling each of said outlets, a conduit in communication with all of said outlets, means for delivering the solution in said conduit to said rolls, and means for returning the unconsumed starch solutionto the tank from which it' came.

5. `In a starching machine having a pair of starching rolls adapted to receive and apply starch solution to articles passing therebetween, means for supplying tosaid rolls starch solutions of various concentrations at the will of the operator, said means comprising a plurality of starch supply tanks for holding said solutions, means including a pump for delivering the contents of a pre-selected tank to said rolls at a rate in excess of the normal starch consumption, a receiver for the excess starch, and means for returning the starch from the receiver to a preselected one yof said tanks, whereby the solution being used for starching is continuously circulated. v

6. In a starching machine having an upper hollow starching roll .provided with discharge openings, and ay lower starching roll adapted for receiving starch externally, means for supplying to saidrolls one of several concentrations of starch solution, said means comprising a plurality of starch supply tanks for holding said solutions, a lconduitin communication with all of said tanks, means vincluding a valve connecting leach tank with said conduit, a pump for receiving starch from said conduit, means for directing starch from the pump to the interior of the upper starching roll in excess of the amount consumed, means including an open conduit for directing starch to the lower starching roll in excess of the amount consumed, a receiver below said rolls and said extracting means into which the unconsumed starchy falls, and a second conduit from the outlet of` said receiver adapted for selective positioning to return the unconsumed starch to any-one of said tanks, whereby the contents of any tank can be continuously circulated through the machine.

7. A machine for rstarching only a part vof a garment comprising, in combination, a pair of starch receiving and applying rolls, a moving endless belt adapted to receive the part of the garment to be starched and feed it between the rolls, and a plurality of stationary wires extending longitudinally of the belt adjacent to its surfacey and beyond the end of the belt nearest to 'said rolls upon which the said garment part slides with the movement of the belt, said wires serving to p-revent adherence of the garment t'o the belt and directing it away from the discharge end of the belt toward said rolls.

8. A machine for starching only a part of a garment comprising, in combination, a pair of starch receiving and applying rolls, a first moving endless belt adapted to receive the part of the garment to be starched and feed it between the rolls, a second moving endless belt adjacent the first belt and running parallel thereto for carrying the rest of the garment, a roller supported on a pivoted arm so as to bear against the discharge end of the first belt nearest to said rolls and assure frictional contact between that belt and the garment part thereon, and a member having a smoothly rounded edge extending along and slightly above the Ydischarge end of the rst belt whereby part of the garment is lifted slightly away from the rst belt as the adjacent part passes under said roller.

9. In a starching machine wherein the starch is applied by passing the article to be starched between a pair of oppositely revolving contacting rolls, means for applying starch tothe surface of said article comprising, as one of said pair, a hollow cylindrical roll having outlet openingsin its cylindrical surface, an absorbent covering over said cylindrical surface adapted to receive starch through said openings and apply it to said article, means for directing starch to the inside of said roll, said roll having further openings in one of its other surfaces for the discharge of excess starch, whereby the roll may be charged with starch at a rate in excess of consumption without building up internal pressure.

10. In a starching machine having starch applying mechanism adapted to receive and apply starch, means for supplying to said mechanism starch solutions of various concentrations comprising reservoirs for a plurality of starch solutions, a pump, means for selectively connecting `the pump with a preselected reservoir, means for delivering the starch solution from the pump to said mechanism ata rate in excess of consumption, a receiver for excess starch flowing from said mechanism, and means for returning said excess to the reservoir from which it came.

11. In a starching machine having starch applying mechanism adapted to receive and apply starch, means for supplying to said mechanism starch solutions of various concentrations comprising reservoirs for a plurality of starch solutions, conduit means adapted for selective connectionjwith one of said reservoirs for delivering starch to said mechanism, a receiver for excess starch flowing from said mechanism, means for selectively returning said excess to one of said reservoirs, and a pump for circulating the starch.

12. In a machine for delivering a part of a limp fabric article into mechanism adapted to grasp said part, said machine including a pair `of endless belts travelling in parallel relationship one at a greater elevation than the other and cooperating to transport said article, means for assuring delivery of the article from the end of the upper belt comprising a roller pressed toward the upper belt adjacent its discharge end to assure frictional engagement of the article with the belt, and a member having a smoothly rounded surface extending along and slightly above and beyond the discharge end of the upper belt adjacent said roller, whereby said article is lifted slightly away from the upper belt as it approaches the discharge end.

GEORGE J. REINITZ. 

